Program Missions & Objectives

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Criminology Program is to examine the causes and consequences of crime and crime control policies by providing a program of study involving a variety of perspectives, approaches, and social science disciplines to undergraduate students. Our faculty members are dedicated teachers and scholars who have published their work in the most prestigious journals in the field. They are committed to expanding the knowledge of the discipline and preparing students to be leaders in influencing our society's response to crime. Also our staff supports the faculty and students by creating a stimulating learning environment that fosters collaboration and scholarship for faculty and students. The staff is also committed to helping students with academic and career issues across a student's program of study, like for example, with arranging student internships

2.1 Students will describe the structure and functions of the various components of the criminal justice system.:

2.2 Students will analyze the causes and correlates of criminal behavior and evaluate the prevailing theoretical foundations of criminology as they relate to those causes and correlates of criminal behavior and evaluate the prevailing theoretical foundations of criminology as they relate to those causes and correlates:

2.3 Students will assess measurement techniques used in criminology and implement them to study crime and other social problems.:

2.4 Students will analyze the goals, procedures, and impact of law and the legal process.:

2.5 Students will apply critical thinking to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global society:

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the B.A. in Economics program is to provide an education that allows the student to understand social phenomena from an economics perspective of benefits and costs, emphasizing an intuitive level of understanding while developing some rudimentary mathematical rigor to aid the intuition. The student will be able and to think critically about choices in the face of limited resources in order to understand more clearly the choices available to society and the economic consequences of decisions.

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of components of economy: Students will define and explain the various components of an economy and how economic decision making based on marginal benefit-marginal cost analysis can be used to explain decision making on the part of households, firms, and the public sector. as well as how these components of the economy affect the aggregate economy

2.2 Analyze economic behavior and evaluate its effects: Students will analyze economic behavior and provide examples of the effects of this behavior in terms of microeconomic and macroeconomic outcomes.

2.3 Assess measurement techniques used in economics: Students will identify and define types of basic measurement techniques used in economics and explain the best uses of them to study economic behavior and the effects of economic behavior

2.4 Analyze economic decisiong making : Students will identify and explain the goals, procedures, and impact of economic decision making in the various sectors of the economy

2.5 Apply critical thinking skills: Students will explain how they can personally contribute to meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing global society. (Based on UTD Strategic Plan)

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Geography program is to provide students a rigorous education in the fundamental theories, concepts, quantitative tools and analytical research methodologies central to the field of geography. The program fosters an understanding of the local and global ways in which humans evaluate spatially distributed phenomena, organize their activities in space, and use and manage the earth's resources and environments. So equipped, UT-Dallas geography graduates will effectively participate as global citizens, successfully compete for professional jobs requiring strong analytical geographic skills and an integrative spatial perspective, and be admitted to the best graduate schools globally.

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental theories: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental theories and concepts central to the field of geography.

2.2 Apply quantitative tools and research methods: Students will apply quantitative tools and analytical research methodologies to spatial issues central to the field of geography.

2.3 Evaluate spatially distributed phenomena: Students will analyze and evaluate the local and global ways in which humans evaluate spatially distributed phenomena, organize their activities in space, and use and manage the earth's resources and environments.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics is to provide students with the substantive and analytical skills necessary to study interesting and important questions about how citizens influence what government does, the responsibilities and effectiveness of government, and the consequences of what public institutions and officials do for individual and community well-being. Coursework in American government, international relations, law, political behavior, political economy, political institutions, political theory, and public policy provides the foundations for more advanced study, the core knowledge needed for professional education in law and public policy, and the skills useful for careers in business, education, government, and public service.

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of government institutions.: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of what the basic institutions of local, state, and national government are, and what these institutions and the officials within them do to affect the well-being of citizens and of society.

2.2 Describe and analyze major theories.: Students will describe, classify, and analyze the major theories that are used to explain and to assess the basic institutions of government and politics and what they do in times of economic, poltiical, and social change.

2.3 Describe and analyze global politics.: Students will describe, classify, and analyze the major theories, methods, and findings that are used to explain and to assess the roles performed by citizens and by governments in global politics.

2.4 Analyze and classify American law, politics, and policy.: Students will describe,classify, and analyze the major theories, methods, and findings that are used to explain and to assess the roles and functions of citizenship, governance and politics, the legal environment of these, and their implications for the policymaking process.

2.5 Apply critical thinking and research methodology.: Students will deploy critical thinking and their methodological and writing skills to design and to conduct research on an interesting and important problem in government, law, politics, and/or policy, and to deal with real-world goals, events and developments at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the B.A. program in Sociology is to provide undergraduate students (both majors and non-majors) with broad knowledge of the theoretical concepts, empirical research findings, and methodological approaches of the discipline of sociology, with an emphasis on theory and research related to social inequality. Sociology majors should develop basic skills in empirical analysis and professional communication in the analysis of social structures, processes, and institutions.

2.1 Demonstrate a mastery of theoretical concepts: Students will demonstrate a mastery of the theoretical concepts, empirical research findings, and methodological approaches of the discipline of sociology, with an emphasis on theory and research related to social inequality.

2.2 Develop skills in empirical analysis: Students will develop basic skills in empirical analysis of social structures, processes, and institutions.

2.3 Develop skills in professional communication: Students will develop basic skills in professional communication appropriate to the discipline of sociology.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the B.S. in Economics program is to provide an education that allows the student to understand social phenomena from an economics perspective of benefits and costs at an intuitive as well as more rigorous level and to think critically about choices in the face of limited resources in order to understand more clearly the choices available to society and the economic consequences of decisions. The mathematical tools developed in the B.S. program will allow the student access to entry-level positions in economic research in the public or private sector.

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of components of economy : Students will learn about the various components of an economy and how economic decision making based on marginal benefit-marginal cost analysis can be used to explain decision making on the part of households, firms, and the public sector. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of how these components of the economy affect the aggregate economy through class participation and exam questions.

2.2 Analzye economic behavior and evaluate its effects: Students will analyze economic behavior and evaluate the effects of this behavior in terms of microeconomic and macroeconomic outcomes.

2.3 Assess measurement techniques: Students will identify and define types of measurement techniques used in economics, explain how these measurement techniques can be empirically implemented, engage in hands-on mathematical exercises using real-world data, and explain the best uses of them the techniques to study economic behavior and the effects of economic behavior (ECO 4351, 4355)

2.4 Analyze economic decision making: Students will analyze the goals, procedures, and impact of economic decision making in the various sectors of the economy.

2.5 Apply critical thinking skills: Students will apply critical thinking to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global society by associating real world examples with theory in class discussions and examinations.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the B.S. in Public Administration program is to prepare students interested in careers in the public and non-profit sectors with the necessary competencies to be successful in management or policy analysis. Graduates should have a firm understanding of financial, human resource, and organizational concepts that will be directly applicable at professional levels in public and non-profit organizations.

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical concepts: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical concepts of public administration as well as the intricacies involved in the particular arenas of government, business, and nonprofits.

2.2 Apply knowledge to meet challenges: Students will learn to analyze and synthesize knowledge derived from government, economics, sociology, and other fields that will prepare them to apply that knowledge creatively to meet the varied and multiple challenges in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

2.3 Develop research and writing skills: Students will acquire and develop research and writing skills related to problem identification, policy analysis, design implementation, program evaluation, communication, and other key functions integral to management careers in public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

2.4 Identify ethical implications of complex issues: Students will orally communicate the complex issues associated with public policies and programs as well as learning to uphold the administrative, political, and ethical implications embedded in them.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Crime & Justice Analysis is introduces students to graduate study and the field of criminology. The certificate in Crime and Justice Analysis is available to both non-degree and degree-seeking students. Professionals employed in positions within criminal justice agencies and related private organizations pursue the certificate to obtain additional education related to their jobs. Graduates of this fifteen-credit hour certificate will have a firm understanding of crime and justice analysis and the role of research in criminal justice agencies, planning, and program evaluation.Note : There are currently no students in this certificate program. While it is still an active program, we have not had students enrolled in 2-3 years. Consequently, we have no assessments on which to base an assessment of strengths or progress

2.1 Students will be able to explain, analyze, and describe the nature and distribution of crime in our society.:

2.2 Students will evaluate the specific merits of historical and modern crime control policies.:

2.3 Student will have the ability to analyze trends in crime in our society.:

1. Mission Statement: The Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis is designed to inculcate in graduate students good understanding of the importance of statistical analysis in a wide array of applied and research areas including demography, economics, and planning and to give students the analytical tools to allow them to effectively use different types of statistical analysis in an array of settings. The certificate is designed for students in degree programs, including PhD programs of study who expect to conduct empirically based research during and following their program of study as well as non-degree students seeking to gain new skill sets important for career advancement

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Student will understand basic statistical concepts and principles including measures of central tendency and dispersion, and probability

2.2 Statistical Techniques: Students will analyze data that are typical of research conducted in the social sciences including economic, political, social and demographic data using different statistical techniques

2.3 Data Analysis Methods: Students will be able to assess between competing methodological approaches in analyzing data

2.4 Practical Application: Students will be able to analyze and interpret results of different analytic techniques in different statistical contexts

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Certificate Program in Evaluation Research is to teach students methodological approaches to evaluation research in the social sciences

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Students will identify and apply basic concepts of social statistics and evaluation research methods in the social sciences

2.2 Practical Application: Students will be able to design and implement a program evaluation through project completion

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Certificate in Financial Economics program is to provide education in the fundamentals and advanced knowledge and tools needed to apply financial economics effectively and correctly in a variety of careers. The certificate is designed to augment the specialized knowledge used in the practice of financial economics in the private or public sector and is appropriate for a student in the MSAE or Ph.D. in Economics program

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Students will explain, and analyze various components of the financial sector of an economy including how economic decision making.

2.2 Analytic Skills: Students will analyze financial economic behavior and evaluate the effects of this behavior in terms of microeconomic and macroeconomic outcomes

2.3 Measurement Techniques: Students will assess measurement techniques used in financial economics and implement them to study financial economic behavior and the effects of financial economic behavior

2.4 Practical Application: Students will analyze the goals, procedures, and impact of financial economic decision making in the various sectors of the economy

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the theories, concepts and skills needed to apply GIS effectively and correctly in a variety of substantive areas, while simultaneously developing proficiency in the use of industry-standard GIS software products. UT-Dallas certificate recipients will have the background and skills necessary to successfully accomplish GIS projects and support GIS operations in a variety of areas in the public and private sectors which could include infrastructure and facility management, urban and regional planning, environmental conservation, market research, site selection, real estate, civil engineering, or natural resource exploration.

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Students will demonstrate a thorough grounding in the theories and concepts needed to apply GIS effectively and correctly

2.2 GIS Software Application: Students will demonstrate the use of industry-standard GIS software products

2.3 Practical Application: Students will develop the in-depth background and skills necessary to successfully accomplish GIS projects and support GIS operations in a variety of substantive areas in the public and private sectors

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management program is to prepare students for successful careers in local governments. It is also offered as a resource for mid-career professionals and others already operating and seeking to broaden their knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators. Graduates should have a firm understanding of the responsibility of providing varied services directly to citizens, such as land use planning, law enforcement, water and sewer services, and recreation

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Students will have a solid understanding of the complex legal and political environment in which local government managers operate

2.2 Management Skills: Students will learn specific skills and knowledge that will prepare them for challenging positions of management responsibility in local governments

2.3 Practical Application: Students will apply theories and skills related to local government management to service delivery in a practical setting.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Certificate Program in Evaluation Research is to teach students about the nature of the nonprofit sector and about professional management practice within the nonprofit context

2.1 Understanding Concepts: Students will understand the history, legal and economic status, and management challenges of the nonprofit sector

2.2 Relevant Management Skills: Students will develop knowledge and competencies from social sciences and public affairs relevant to management and professional practice in the nonprofit sector

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Master of Public Affairs is to educate professionals in public and non-profit management, policy analysis, and applied technology for effective careers in public policy and public management organizational environments. The program serves local, regional, and national communities through professional development programs, public policy, and management analyses, program and policy design, and as a forum for new ideas and approaches to policy and management problems. The curriculum is intended to train students who ultimately assume senior staff, managerial and leadership roles in public agencies and other organizations

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical foundations of public management and leadership, non-profit management and leadership, policy analysis, and civic engagement in governance.

2.2 Learn spesific skills and knowledge: Students will learn specific skills and knowledge that will prepare them for challenging positions of management responsibility and/or policy analysis in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

2.3 Develop research and writing skills: Students will develop their research and writing skills so that they can effectively communicate their ideas based on study and research.

2.4 Present complex idea and research finding orally: Students will have the ability to present complex ideas and research findings orally.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the M.S. program in Applied Sociology is to teach students theoretical concepts, empirically based knowledge, and research competencies from the discipline of sociology and related fields that will prepare them for employment related to the development, implementation, and assessment of sound social policy, as well as further study in sociology, other social sciences, and related professions.

2.1 Demonstrate Ability: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply sociological concepts and research findings, particularly those concepts and findings relevant to political economy and social policy

2.2 Develop Research Skills: Students will develop basic statistical and evaluation research. skills

2.3 Develop Communication Skills: Students will develop basic skills in professional communication appropriate to the discipline of sociology

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Economics is to provide excellent graduate-level education in economics, with an emphasis on the development of theoretical understanding of economic phenomena, quantitative skills that can be applied to economic problems, and critical thinking to understand how best to apply economic theory and quantitative skills to real-world problems.

2.1 Analyze and evaluate componente of an economy: Students will be able to analyze and evaluate various components of an economy in terms of decision-making based on ...as well as how these components of the economy affect the aggregate economy.

2.2 Analyze and Evaluate: Students will analyze economic behavior and evaluate the effects of this behavior in terms of microeconomic and macroeconomic outcomes

2.3 Assess and Implement: Students will assess measurement techniques used in economics and implement them to study economic behavior and the effects of economic behavior.

2.4 Analyze: Students will analyze the goals, procedures, and impact of economic decision making in the various sectors of the economy.

2.5 Apply and Meet Challenges: Students will apply critical thinking to demonstrate how they as professionals will meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global society. (Based on UTD Strategic Plan)

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Master of Science in Geographic Information Sciences program is to provide students a rigorous understanding of the technologies, quantitative techniques, models and theories used to acquire and manage spatially referenced information and to analyze spatial processes. UT-Dallas graduates will have strong analytical and numerical skills, knowledge of empirical and quantitative research methodologies, and employ novel geographic information sciences technologies. They will use these capabilities to support public and private sector organizations, to address significant societal issues, and to enhance understanding of the human and natural environments. They will successfully compete at the highest level for jobs requiring geospatial skills and for entry into quality doctoral programs in relevant areas

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge: 1. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the technologies, quantitative techniques, models and theories used to acquire and manage spatially referenced information and to analyze spatial processes

2.2 Develop Analytical Skills: Students will have strong analytical and numerical skills, knowledge of empirical and quantitative research methodologies, and be able to employ them in novel geographic information sciences applications

2.3 Indentify and Apply Methodologies: Students will be able to identify and apply appropriate geospatial methodologies to support public and private sector organizations, to address significant societal issues, and to enhance understanding of the human and natural environments.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Ph.D. in Economics is to provide a cutting-edge education in micro- and macro-economic theories, in the development of a rigorous toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques, and in various research areas in economics. This education allows students to think critically about how to approach the analysis of economic problems and to contribute to the knowledge base of the discipline

2.1 Do high-level analyses of components of an economy: Students will be able to do high-level analyses of the various components of an economy and how economic decision making based on marginal benefit-marginal cost analysis can be used to explain decision making on the part of households, firms, and the public sector. and how these components of the economy affect the aggregate economy

2.2 Analyze and Evaluate: Students will conduct sophisticated analyses of economic behavior and evaluate the effects of this behavior in terms of microeconomic and macroeconomic outcomes in various models of economic systems.

2.3 Assess and Implement: Students will evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of measurement techniques used in economics and implement appropriate techniques to study economic behavior and the effects of economic behavior.

2.4 Synthesize models: Given goals, procedures, and impact of economic decision making in the various sectors of the economy, students will synthesize models and explain possible outcomes and consequences of research and decision-making based on those models..

2.5 Apply and Meet: Students will explain how they use their own critical thinking about the discipline to identify and study noteworthy issues in our rapidly changing global society. (Based on UTD Strategic Plan)

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Doctor of Philosophy in Geographic Information Sciences program is to cultivate innovative researchers capable of advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the geospatial information sciences through improved theories, new technologies, innovative methodologies, sophisticated quantitative analyses, and integrative applications. UT-Dallas Doctoral graduates will find employment in research departments of public and private organizations and in major academic institutions

2.1 Demonstrate Knowledge: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental theories and concepts underlying the geospatial sciences

2.2 Master Advanced Methodologies: Students will master the advanced methodologies and/or quantitative analyses used in at least one of three geospatial specialization areas: [a] computing and information management, [b] spatial analysis and modeling, or [c] remote sensing and satellite technologies.

2.3 Produce Innovative Research: Students will produce innovative research that advances theory or methodology in the geospatial sciences

2.4 Participate at Academic Conferences: Students will participate at academic conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals and find employment in research departments of public and private organizations and in major academic institutions

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Ph.D. Program in Political Science is to provide a rigorous, sharply focused disciplinary program with strong multidisciplinary links. This program consists of innovative, state-of-the-science graduate education in political methodology and in the fields of democratization, globalization and international relations, political and government institutions and processes, and public management and decision making. Students acquire basic resarch skills and tools and work on research projects, they further develop instructional and presentation skills, and they interact with highly regarded scholars and practitioners in their fields of study. Students are prepared for analytical and administrative positions and responsibilities in academe, firms, government, and other organizations.

2.1 Exercise skills.: Students will exercise skills necessary to meet administrative, educational and resarch needs, including critical and constructive thinking, effective communication, rigorous research, and competent management.

2.2 Describe, analyze, and classify: Students will learn to describe, to classify, and to analyze the casuses and consequences of the unprecedented unfolding of democracy on a global scale, its successes and failures, and its opportunitis and problems during an era of globalization and of ongoing subnational, national, and transnational conflicts and negotiations.

2.3 Describe, analyze and classify.: Students will learn to describe, to classify, and to analyze the major theories, methods, and findings that are used to explain the participation of individuals in a variety of institutional settings, how institutions can be designed to promote both collective goods and individual gains, and how changes in institutions have consequences for individuals.

2.4 Describe and explain.: Students will be able to describe and to explain the theories, models and practices of group activity, human decision making, management science, organiztional design, policy making, and risk assessment involving knowledge prodcuers, private firms, and government agencies and departments.

2.5 Other outcomes.: Students will be prepared to teach and to conduct resarch in American, comparative, or international government and politics; democratization, globalization and international relations; governmental and poltiical institutions and processes; and public administration, decision making, and risk management.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Ph.D. in Public Affairs program is to prepare students for academic careers or high level management positions in public and non-profit organizations by assuring that they gain competency at an advanced level in the core subject matters and methodologies that are central to the study of Public Affairs. Through instruction and research, the faculty will help students obtain a firm understanding of the broad intellectual tradition of public administration and related fields. It will integrate both traditional and innovative methods of educational delivery and emphasize the application of theory to practice.

2.1 Demonstrate Knowledge: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the interface between the traditions of public management, decision science, and policy analysis and processes with a practical appreciation for the challenges of maintaining and building institutions of governance and a civic culture in a complex, democratic society.

2.2 Theory and Process of Knowledge Acquisition: Students, as executive level administrators, will have a solid grounding in theory and in the process of knowledge acquisition through research that is essential for institutional maintenance and renewal.

2.3 Produce Scholarly Manuscripts: Students, as scholars, will have the ability to produce scholarly manuscripts based on extensive practical experience or field-based research that are worthy of publication in the journals of the field.

2.4 Develop, Present, and Defend Complex Ideas: Students will have the ability to develop, present, and defend both orally and in writing complex ideas based on in-depth scholarly research.

1. Mission Statement: The mission of the Ph.D. program in Public Policy and Political Economy is to prepare our students for professional positions in research, teaching, and practice in fields related to public policy and political economy, and in both academic and nonacademic settings. We prepare students through instruction in social science and public policy concepts, advanced methodological knowledge and applied social research techniques, and professional communication.

2.1 Apply Theories and Concepts: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply social science and public policy theories and concepts.

2.2 Competency in Advanced Methods: Students will develop competency in advanced methods of social science and public policy research and analysis.

2.3 Develop Communication Skills: Students will develop basic skills in professional communication appropriate to the public policy and political economy research and analysis.